Introduction to Elevated Stands

By far the most popular way to hunt white-tailed deer and black bear with a bow and arrow is from an elevated stand. The most common type of elevated stand is the tree stand—a temporary stand placed in or against a tree. Tree stands have become increasingly popular in recent years with both bowhunters and firearm hunters. While they offer certain advantages, they also have some drawbacks, including a degree of risk.

Advantages

Due to wider field of view, let you spot game sooner than at ground level, which allows time to plan for the best shot

Position a hunter above the animal's normal field of vision

Make a hunter's scent harder to detect and movement less noticeable, allowing a hunter to move more easily into a shooting position

Give the bowhunter a shot angle where the arrow exits lower on the animal, potentially creating a better blood trail to aid in recovery

Reduce the possibility of a hunter interfering with another hunter's experience

Provide a better vantage point for viewing wildlife and enjoying the total hunting experience

Disadvantages

Increase risk of injury from falling

Can be difficult to carry, especially large, portable stands

Provide no protection from cold or wind

Give little room for movement, which adds to fatigue and increases the risk of falling

Make estimating distances and shooting accurately more challenging because of the downward angle

Cannot move toward game while hunting

Remember…

Avoid using permanent stands made of boards nailed or screwed onto trees. Permanent tree stands are eyesores that upset people who enjoy the woods but don't hunt. They also cause significant damage to trees and become unsafe after a short period of time because of weathering, rotting and tree growth. In addition, big game animals recognize permanent stands as unsafe areas and regularly avoid them. Big game hunters prefer less conspicuous, portable models that they can move easily.